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Sheinbaum said her administration would seek to send the oil via
commercial and privately owned firms instead of state-owned
companies as it has done in the past.
Mexico became a key fuel supplier to Cuba after the U.S.
attacked Venezuela in early January and halted critical oil
shipments. But those shipments, which had already been reduced,
were completely suspended after U.S. President Donald Trump
threatened tariffs on any country that provides or sells oil to
the island.
Since the attack on Venezuela, only one oil shipment has reached
Cuba, courtesy of a Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of
oil that were used up in one month.
The lack of fuel has worsened an energy crisis on the island
that produces only 40% of the petroleum it needs, leading to
severe power outages, reduced work hours, water shortages,
suspended surgeries and spoiled food.
Sheinbaum said she wants to take advantage of a package of
free-market reforms that Cuba’s government recently approved,
leveraging Mexican business owners who are already on the
island.
“The mechanism would be through private companies that have
permits to transport fuel to Cuba,” she stated without providing
further details. “We hope that commercial transport can resume
soon,” she added, without specifying when it might happen.
Sheinbaum said Mexico also would continue sending humanitarian
aid.
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